Take the Zacks Approach to Beat the Markets: ADMA Biologics, Limbach, Quest Diagnostics in Focus

Market Overview - The three major U.S. indexes (Nasdaq Composite, S&P 500, Dow Jones Industrial Average) ended the past trading week positively, with gains of 3.52%, 2.86%, and 3.41% respectively [1] - Despite a gloomy economic outlook due to shifts in U.S. foreign tariff policy, weak economic data, and rising geopolitical tensions, investors are optimistic about strong earnings results and potential reductions in import duties by the Trump administration [1] Economic Indicators - The U.S. GDP contracted for the first time in three years, growing at an annualized rate of 0.3% in Q1 2025, down from 2.4% in the previous quarter [2] - Consumer sentiment index dropped to 52.2 in April from 57.0 in March, marking the lowest level since July 2022 [2] - The consumer confidence index fell to 86 in April from 92.9 in March [2] - The Personal Consumption Expenditure (PCE) index remained flat in March, while personal consumption and personal income grew by 0.7% and 0.5% respectively, exceeding expectations [2] Manufacturing and Labor Market - The manufacturing PMI for April contracted to 48.7% from 49% in March, indicating contraction in manufacturing activities [3] - Nonfarm payrolls increased by 177,000 in April, exceeding analyst expectations, while the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.2% [3] Stock Performance and Recommendations - ADMA Biologics, Inc. shares gained 48.6% since being upgraded to Zacks Rank 2 (Buy) on March 4, outperforming the S&P 500's 3% decrease [4] - Intrepid Potash, Inc. shares returned 28.9% since its upgrade to Zacks Rank 2 on March 6, also outperforming the S&P 500 [5] - The Zacks Model Portfolio of Rank 1 stocks has outperformed the S&P 500 index by almost 13 percentage points since 1988, with an annualized average return of +23.9% [7] Focus List and Portfolios - Constellation Brands, Inc. gained 8.2% over the past 12 weeks, while Cheniere Energy, Inc. returned 2.3% during the same period [11] - The Zacks Focus List portfolio returned -2.96% in Q1 2025, compared to -4.30% for the S&P 500 index [12] - The Zacks Earnings Certain Admiral Portfolio (ECAP) returned +3.20% in Q1 2025, outperforming the S&P 500 index's -4.30% decline [16] Dividend and Defensive Stocks - Coca-Cola Company returned 13.5% over the past 12 weeks, while Quest Diagnostics Incorporated increased by 7.9% [18] - The Zacks Earnings Certain Dividend Portfolio (ECDP) returned +5.74% in Q1 2025, outperforming the S&P 500 index's -2.41% pullback [19] Top 10 Stocks Performance - Primo Brands Corporation increased by 7.4% year-to-date, compared to the S&P 500 index's 3.3% decrease [22] - The Top 10 portfolio returned +62.98% in 2024, significantly outperforming the S&P 500 index's +25.04% return [22][23]